XPost: aus.cars, aus.computers, uk.rec.caravanning   
   From: newsninespam-spam@woa.com.au   
      
   On 02/11/12 00:23, Damian wrote:   
   > Thanks mate.   
   > The two massive 6V batteries that I mentioned aren't in my hands yet. I have   
   > been considering getting them to maintain a good long lasting power source   
   > for the van. But, now I think it may be an overkill and a pretty heavy job   
   > as well.   
      
   You need to look at your power requirements and work them out.   
   Refridgerator   
   Lighting   
   The dooles like mobile phones, torches, the radio(s)(AM/FM/UHF, etc)   
   (Where did they all come from)   
   The laptop   
   The 12 volt TV.   
   Medical machines.   
      
   Even stuff like fans on diesel/gas space heater and/or 12V electric   
   blanket. Sigh, there is even 12v hair dryers.   
      
   When it comes to stuff like aircon, then you need to run a generator of   
   sufficent size to run it. Add in the microwave to that as well.   
      
   Over here, camp sites can be divided into those that allow generators,   
   where mos caavans go and thse that don't, where most campers go. man   
   people don't like one destroying the peace and quiet.   
      
   > I think I am better off with a 125Ah sealed deep cycle battery and may be a   
   > backup one. I reckon it's better to rely on a small generator rather than   
   > carrying massive heavy batteries like I was planning to do.   
   > What do you think about that?   
      
   Batteries and a solar panels are a basic way to go here if you have   
   light demands like a refridgerator, lighting amd the doodles.. Most   
   times you will have no problems if you have adequately specced the   
   batteries to give you a couple of day's requirements.   
      
   It is when you are camped for the week, then you can run into problems   
   from it being heavily overcast all week. I have something like the honda   
   generator on my plans as a emergency back up.   
      
   I have also gone for four days capacity, so that effectively means that   
   at worst case I only loose the peace and quiet for one day in four.   
      
      
   If you are travelling every day/few days, like doing the big loop, that   
   C-tek D250S that was linked is the way to go as it tops up your caravan   
   battery from the solar panels when you're stopped or from the car   
   alternator when you are travelling. you need an auto isolator that   
   switches the car feed in after the car alternator has recharged your   
   starter battery.   
      
   OTOH, some places here, it just means that instead of stopping in the   
   bush camps, you pay for a powered site overnight and charge your   
   batteries up then.   
      
      
   I'll point out that I'm talking from the Australian perspective where we   
   have 30 million population spread over an area the size of   
   Europe/Mainland USA, but mostly in a few big cities and little facilties   
   in between.   
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
   > Thanks   
   > "terryc"  wrote in message   
   > news:k6t0lv$eft$1@dont-email.me...   
   >> On 01/11/12 14:05, Neil wrote:   
   >>>   I   
   >>> suspect a 300Ah battery would be considerably more expensive than 3 x   
   >>> 110Ah batteries together, but you would have to research that   
   >>> yourself.   
   >>   
   >> 125Ah are the largest common Deep discharge wet cells in Aust. Rather than   
   >> put tweo in parallel to get larger capacity. I preferred to buy two 6Volt   
   >> 225 Amphour batteries. that was to prevent the problem of one failing and   
   >> pulling down and maybe destroying the other.   
   >>   
   >> Another factor is my ability to lift individual batteries in and out of   
   >> locations. I remember that the 12V 125AmpHr batteries weighed 35kg each   
   >> Can not remember the figure for each 6V 225Amphour battery.   
   >>   
   >>   
   >>   
   >>> The differences between battery types are basically this:   
   >>> Leisure batteries are designed for prolonged but light current drain,   
   >>   
   >>> Traction batteries are designed for electric propulsion and other   
   >>   
   >>> Vehicle starting batteries capable of delivering very high currents   
   >>   
   >> My rule of thumb is that if the battery is rated in amphours, then it is   
   >> designed for "deep discharge" use. If it is rated in CCA, then it is a ICE   
   >> starter battery.   
   >>   
   >>   
   >>   
   >>> All lead/acid batteries have the potential to emit hydrogen and oxygen   
   >>> when they are overcharged.  This is actually beneficial when   
   >>> equalising a battery, but requires the ability to be able to replace   
   >>> the water lost in so doing.   
   >>   
   >> This is why cheap battery chargers are a bad idea. They do not limit the   
   >> final trickle voltage and can run wet cells dry.   
   >>   
   >>> I don't have any links for you, I got my battery from a local caravan   
   >>> spares dealer.   
   >>   
   >> I actually go to a battery specialist who originally had traction as well   
   >> as alarm batteries but a seems to have moved more to alarm and specilist   
   >> motor starters(changing market in the area). Look in yellow pages, etc for   
   >> battery supliers in industrial areas and avoid main street battery shops.   
   >>   
   >   
   >   
      
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